Spatial-Thinking Knowledge Acquisition from Route-Based Learning and Survey Learning: Improvement of Spatial Orientation Skill with Geographic Information Science Sources

Engineers use spatial information. Mapping and wayfinding in the real world are activities that use spatial orientation skills. A set of resources available on the Internet whereby engineers work with maps and spatial georeferenced information is termed geographic information science (GISc), which allows the use of mapping and exploratory navigation with maps and a continuous three-dimensional (3D) digital image of the real world to simulate navigation at a ground-level perspective. In this case study, a workshop composed of 193 civil engineering students, 35 belonging to a control group, was conducted to determine whether spatial orientation skills can be developed through map reading and the virtual wayfinding experience. After the workshop, the results showed a significant improvement in the spatial orientation skill, ranging between a minimum of 14.56 degrees and a maximum of 26.61 degrees rank in the Perspective Taking/Spatial Orientation Test: training had a positive impact on the development of spatial orientation skills. The control group results confirmed that students who were not subject to specific training did not increase their spatial orientation skill.